History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire, Part 177

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Philadelphia [Pa.] J. W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 1520

USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire > Part 177
USA > New Hampshire > Belknap County > History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire > Part 177

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

They spent nearly as much for schools as for all ' other town expenses, and maintained ten schools about six months.each.

Captain James Follet was the first collector, and had been several years before for the Fourth Col- lector's District of Gilmanton, or the Second Division.

The first Board of Selectmen were John Smith, Thomas Saltmarsh and John Gilman. In 1806 there were in the Fourth Collector's District, nearly con- terminous with the future new town, 166 assessed persons ; and the amount assessed was $643.60, out of $2803.92, assessed on the whole town, showing that the district had not then attained to the fourth part of the taxable value of the whole. In 1808 this sec- tion had 192 tax-payers, including a few'non-residents, and was levied upon for $616.62 in the total of $2574.42, or about one-fourth part. The list of as- sessed had increased in 1810 to the number of 206. The inventories of these years show that but few acres of land had been improved by each settler, they having been extensively engaged in constructing their build- ings, and were now distracted by the opening of an- other war with England. Born or inaugurated in the warlike season, the public affairs were conducted somewhat in a spirit of contention. Not only political, but even ecclesiastical affairs witnessed many a battle, long drawn out and most bitter. A child of strife, nursed in conflicts, she grew valiant in war. With room for free exercise of her arms over the adjacent waters on the north and the west, she was prepared to meet any assailant from either quarter; and, trusting, in her munition of rocks, she attended to domestic

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improvements without fear or distraction ; and the re- sult has been not otherwise than laudable, as the fol- lowing exhibit will plainly establish :

The Personnel of the Early Settlers .- As an ar- ticle of the prescribed extent for such a work as this does not admit of a book, or even full chapter, of gen- ealogies, it will be sufficient to append a few words on the persons and characters of those early citizens who constituted the body politic in its first years of separate and corporate existence. And for this pur- pose will we use the list of tax-payers in the first year of assessment. Thirty-five years had doubtless wit- nessed some falling out as well as the gathering in of a body of inhabitants, so that our notices may be wanting in some names of parties who had come and gone already, and some who had not yet been placed on the list of tax-payers, though really resident.

Daniel Avery appears to be among the number as early as 1790, and he commenced trade here at that time, at the bridge, the terminus of the Province road. He afterwards enlarged his business and built a fac- tory and ran it many years, and he was one of the heaviest tax-payers at the first year of the town's sep- arate and independent management, and even before that date. His family remained there for many years, but are not represented in the place now by that name. James and David Ames are among the earliest on the ground. James settled at the foot of the hill in the road, now discontinued, near Esquire Ebenezer Smith's, and David located where Richard Dame lived, now owned and occupied by William W. Watson. They appear to have made, a good beginning, but long since the families have been reduced and scarcely represented among us. The family is not, however, extinct, but have mostly removed elsewhere.

Jeremiah Bartlet came early to Gilford and took up land, about 1790, at the west base of Gunstock Moun- tain, and was a successful farmer and an upright, re- spected man. He lived to an honorable and ripe old age on the lot he first occupied, and in his later years was afflicted with deafness and a troublesome wen on the neck, which increased in size as his years ad- vanced. His exemplary piety was characteristic. He had two sons and several daughters. One married John Jewett. His sons were dealers in stock and for a time drovers. The line of descent is not traced by numerous posterity, but the homestead is still occu- pied by lineal descendants, some of another name. Samuel Bartlett was a citizen also at the same time. Rev. Robert Bartlett moved into town in later times, with a large family, occupying the Osgood place, on Liberty Hill, and supplying the Universalist pulpit for a time, and dying only a few years ago at his daughter's, in Lake village, at an advanced age. He was a man of good ability and of activity in his early life, and had some good positions before coming to Gilford.

The name of Bean, so common in Gilmanton, was also well represented here in the persons of Elijah, James,

Solomon and John, and later by Henry, Joel, Chase and True. The first of these settled in the southern part of the town and the others in the northern. Their families are still represented, though not by great numbers of the same name, but by changed names.

The family of Bennett was among the first of the assessed, and the names of John, John, Jr., John (4) and Winthrop appear on the first year. They settled in Chattleborough and near Liberty Hill. Some of the name in after-years, as Harrison, was of honorable mention in public affairs and educational depart- ments. The family is still represented by a few.

The Blaisdell family was a prominent one from the very first years. Samuel Blaisdell settled north of and near to Captain Gilman, at the Lily Pond, He worked at blacksmith work, and several of his sons afterwards carried on the same business. His sons were William, John, Daniel, Enoch, Aaron, Philip and Samuel, all men of intellectual and executive abili- ties. He exercised his talents as a lay preacher, holding meetings at his own house before a regular service was established or meeting-house built. Per- haps there was some lack of agreement of his doc- trinal sentiments and those current or entertained by many in the vicinity. William, the oldest son, was later representative of and preacher to the Order of Christians, or, as they are sometimes called, Christian Baptists. He had good talents and education and was promoted in civil offices. Others of the family exercised limitedly their gifts in lay preaching. Mrs. Samuel Blaisdell was efficient as nurse and doctress to her sex before the regular physician was settled or could be easily called. The family were largely nat- ural and apt mechanics. Samuel, of another branch of the family, was the framing carpenter of those and later days. The family is now numerously repre- sented. Eliphlet and Jacob were also early settlers Eliphlet (2), deacon a long time of the Baptist Church at Lake village, and some of that branch, were, by affiliation, Baptists and efficient members. Other branches of the family were Free-Will Baptists and prominent, and still others were of other and more liberal belief and practice.

Dr. Zadock Bowman was practicing physician at the beginning of the century, and located at Meredith Bridge. David Bowman was the successor in the estate, which was and has been one of prominence. Mrs. Daniel Tilton now represents the family. John Boyd is sole representative of that name in the tax- list of 1806, and was possessed of an estate near Ben- jamin Jewett's. Enoch Boyd represented the name in later years, and occupied the homestead. Ahel and Ephraim Brown, with Ephraim, Jr., are the representatives of that name, the former living at the lakeside, at what was afterwards the Almshouse farm, and the others in Miles Valley. They were men of means, except Ephraim, Jr .; and Nehemiah and Daniel were the children in possession succes-

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HISTORY OF BELKNAP COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

sively. Captain Daniel and Nehemiah were of hon- orable standing in town affairs.

The name Buzzell (or Buswell) is early mentioned, and the names of Isaac, Ebenezer, Ichabod, Ichabod, Jr., Stephen, George and James are enrolled. The family settled in the east part of the town, on both sides of the mountain. The family of manufacturing men at Laconia hearing that name came later to town, and first operated the fulling and carding-mill on Gunstock River, and also did business in the woolen line at Lake village, and since have pros- ecuted an extensive and successful enterprise at La- conia, first in the old Parker warp-mill and later in Morrison's carding and fulling-mill and the Belknap Mill and later enlargements. They have shown business tact and skill. The names of Boynton, Bnr- bank, Bradbury, Badger, Burleigh, Blake, Beede, Burns and Bickford are found in the list; but some are non-resident, and of others but little is known.

Tradition locates Bickford at Richard Dame's or Joseph P. Smith's. Captain Charles Beede came later and did blacksmithing at Gilford village and later at Laconia, and enlisted in the Union army at an advanced age.

The name of Robert Carr is associated with the Quaker faith, and he is known as Elder Carr. He early settled on an excellent glade of land at the mouth of the Miles Brook, and was one of the frugal and fore- handed farmers, living in a stately and neatly-kept house-a semi-inn-of honorable repute. The team- ing of products to Portsmouth and freighting back of groceries was a considerable branch of business in those days, and way-places for halting and accom- modation were in demand. The sons of Robert Carr (John and Richard) located one at the homestead and the others at Alton. The family still remains in town.

The Clough family, represented by David, Aaron, Moses and Caleb, were here early, one at the east base of the mountains and the other at the Hoyt's neighborhood; and these families have gone. John C. Clough lived at Laconia and kept store on the Meredith side. The family remains in the place, but the business is closed.

The Clark name is more common, and applies to more than one lineage. Samuel Clark settled a little north of Folsom's Mills, and the family is of honor- able mention, and from it came the Hon. Joseph Clark, of Manchester, Esq. Samnel Clark, of Lake village and others. William Clark settled farther north, on the Plains. Jacob and Mayhew were of Meredith Bridge, the former a shoemaker and musi- cian. Others of the same name dwelt at Jewett's Corner and Laconia.

Ezekiel Collins settled here abont 1807, in the neighborhood of Chattleborongh Pond, and the family, in later generations, preserved its compact condition in its own neighborhood and in large numbers. Seven sons settled near, and daughters settled here

and elsewhere. The mill in their plant has long been operated by some one of the name for sawing and threshing. They were an industrious and quiet peo- ple and mainly successful.

John Cotton settled near the hill bearing this name, in the south part of the town and a little off the Prov- ince road, and the family still has its representatives there. Simon Cotton was of the same line.

The Chase family is represented as early as 1806, and by the individual names of Mark, Green, James, Jr., and Widow Nancy. Their location is uncertain. Later, Albert and Hazeltine Chase came from London and were connected with the business and firm of Jewett, Chase & Thing, store-keepers at Gilford vil- lage; Albert, also, as clerk in the store of Charles Stark there, or Stark & Goodhue. Samuel Connor is among the inhabitants as early as 1810, and Joseph Connor lived near Captain Gilman's and Lieutenant Rand's. The house has gone and the family name is not preserved at present. They were connected with the McCoys. The name of Cram is associated with inhabitants at Meredith Bridge. Jonathan and Widow Cram are the only names that appear in the lists.

Taxes were assessed on property of Dr. Call and James Crocket, residing in Meredith. A little later the Chesley family settled in the east part of the town, near Alton ; bnt the family is no longer known among the people of that section. The Coles came later from Conway to Lake village and engaged in the furnace and foundry business. There were sev- eral of the second generation, and they at one time comprised a large portion of the active business men of Lake village. Benjamin Cole, Esq., has been prominent in public affairs for many years. The iron and hardware trade and works were largely in their hands, and it was successfully conducted and associ- ated with general trade. The Crosbys have been of honorable mention. Josiah and Dixi have practiced medicine here with skill and ability. The former was also connected with the Avery Factory awhile. They were first from Sandwich and later lived at Gilman- ton Corner. The father, Asa Crosby, had an exten- sive practice in all the region. Sanborn Crosby was long an inhabitant near Meredith Bridge,-another family. Richard Dame settled near the Intervale and was a laborious and successful farmer ; wore his uncnt hair in a queue after the manner of the Quakers, and raised a large family, which have almost lost the name and representation in the place; yet, by mar- riage, the line is preserved nnder other names. Ben- jamin Dame pursued the blacksmith business and lived in different places in town. The family is largely gone, but few remain. The Davis family was prominent in early years. Malachi Davis settled, in 1790, near the Lily Pond and held a good estate. He was a father in matters of religion and politics. His house was for many years the place of holding the Democratic caucus, as well as the social religions meetings. His life was prolonged by means of a

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difficult surgical operation. His family was not large in the line of sons, but several daughters of good ability became well connected in married life, and still some are alive in advanced age. Several families of the name, and related, settled in his immediate neighborhood and also on the east side of the moun- tains. A family of the name resided at Meredith Bridge, and one at Lake village, known as Neighbor John. Nathaniel, called also Island Davis, occupied Governor's Island. He was a stalwart and command- ing personage, and exercised his gifts as a leader in matters of free church order in preaching and public discussion. He raised a family of four sons and about the same number of daughters, who became well connected. The sons and himself were leaders in political and other public affairs. One, John, was a prominent teacher and afterwards agent of the fac- tory company at Lake village. They have gone from the island, but are represented elsewhere. The family largely embraced Miller's doctrine, though at first following one Osgood, of anti-church government sentiments. William Miller, in person, held a camp- meeting on the island in 1840.

Abraham Dearborn lived awhile near the head of the gully and elsewhere. Jeremiah Dow, Josiah Dow, Samuel Dicey, William Drew and Joseph Drew are among the voters of 1813. They were connected with Meredith Bridge, except Drew, who was in the central part of the town. These are now largely gone from the place as families. The name of Eager was formerly known, but is now not current. Lieutenant Winthrop Eager is mentioned in 1813. Asa Eager and John Eager were citizens at Meredith Bridge (Asa Eager was sheriff and otherwise a public man; he kept hotel in early years) and known as connected with the county affairs and the court. Eager's tav- ern was situated nearly opposite the court-house. The name is not at present met here.

The Eaton family settled in the eastern part of the town. The same name is associated with the settle- ment at the Weirs, as occupying on the Meredith side. We have, in 1806 and 1813, Joseph, Joshua, Benjamin and Elias. Later, Elisha, Jonathan and Sherburn are on the records. Daniel, Esq., was re- cently a successful teacher. John and Martin have been in trade here and in Salem, Mass.

The Elkins family was formerly quite large. Dan- iel, Richard, Jonathan, James, John and Ezekiel are among those early here, and for the most part lived near the Suncook Mountains (west of them), and one family on the Lake road.

John Evans, Esq., was a leading man, living on the east part of the Lake-Shore road. Samuel and George were members of the family, and the former a teacher. The name is not now found in the town.

The Edgerly name at Meredith Bridge, as Nathan- iel, the register of deeds, is of later date.

The Edwards family was here early, and Nathaniel, in the second generation, was a long while a propri-

etor and conductor of the shoe business at Meredith Bridge.

The Foster family first located in the centre of the Intervale, occupied the D. Y. Smith place, and also, later, on Miles River, near the Morrill neighborhood. Thomas was first here before 1806, and Thomas, Jr., John and Daniel continued the family to recent years ; but now the name is but little known.

Samuel Foss was early living near Mount Minor.

Ezekiel Flanders occupied land on the east side of Mount Prospect, and belongs to the large family of that name in Alton. The line is still continued here.

James Follet came to Gilford about 1792, and wrought at blacksmith work. He was brother-in-law to Rev. Richard Martin, and settled near him on Meeting-House Hill. He was efficient in public af- fairs, being repeatedly the collector of taxes, consta- ble and captain in the militia. He carried on the tanning business, and engaged to some extent in trade, which his sons also took up and conducted at different places. He raised a large family of sons and daughters ; the sons are all enterprising, efficient men, and the daughters bave all married well. They have been scattered and reduced in numbers in later years, and the original house, so intimately associated with the early town-meetings and the Sabbath meetings, and the first store, Pearley's, has been burnt. Sam- uel Follet is once found on the tax-list, and that in 1810.

The Folsom name appears very early and in fre- quency. Jonathan Folsom signed the Test Paper (political), in 1776, as an inhabitant of Gilmanton ; probably located not within the limits of the present Gilford, as it is conceded that there were no families then settled on its territory. He is, however, a tax- payer in 1813. Abraham Folsom is said to have set- tled in town in 1781, and to have built his mill at that date, for the town gave the five acres for a mill privilege and built the bridge at his mills, or the Weirs (Lower Weirs), the year before,-i. e. 1780,-and the bridge was located above the mills in 1782. He subsequently built his house on the Meredith side and was a citizen of that town, and the estate and property was included therein till that section was set off to Gilford re- cently. Two lots in the eighth range were sold to build the bridge, and the five acres given to him. The other families of this name were those of Nathaniel, Benjamin, John, Dudley and others, who have held high places in public affairs and several have been distinguished.

The Gilmans are both conspicuous and numerous. They came early and later. Foremost is Captain John F., who settled near the Lily Pond in the same year that Abraham Folsom came, in 1781. He was a prin- cipal citizen and land-holder, and by his captaincy was always a marked character. His family was by adoption, including James McCoy and Gilman Thing. Ezekiel Gilman came the same year and settled near Benjamin Jewett's place. Lieutenant John Gilman

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HISTORY OF BELKNAP COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

settled on the south of Captain John F .; and Dudley still further to the southwest, coming in 1789; and Andrew possessed a large estate at the foot of the mountains, west side, and near by Samuel and Joshua. Levi and Samuel settled near Gunstock or Meeting- House Hill. Robinson Gilman located at Meredith Bridge, and Antipas on Liberty Hill. These all have held lineal connections with the great Gilman fra- ternity, and they are also, by one branch or other, connected by intermarriages with most of the fami- lies of the town at large. Most of them had large families.

Abel (elder) and Manoah Glidden settled near Alton line and the mountains. The latter came in 1796. They were leading men in that section, and their descendants are still in possession of the estates. Abel (2d) is also a minister. The father was a man of native talent.

Levi, John and Jethro Goss settled on the north part of Gunstock Hill, and from that place the large families of sons and daughters settled in different parts of the town and elsewhere. The homesteads have passed out of the name, but not all of them from the lineal heirs.

Elijah Gove settled on the west side of Gunstock Hill, and his son Daniel was a successor to the estate, and a mechanic and constructor of various farming implements. The estate is in the same name.

David Gould settled land to the southeast of Gil- ford village and had one son and one daughter. They all lived to a good old age and the family became extinct. They were engaged in cooperage and were in comfortable circumstances.

Jonathan Grant was early an inhabitant, and several families of the name, as Paul's, Daniel's and Levi's, have been citizens. They have been located in the south and in the north extremes of the eastern part of the town, and their families are but little represented now.

The names Godfrey, Greene, Gilbert and Gilford were known at Meredith Bridge.

Jacob Hacket and John Hacket settled in Chattle- borough and their families have become extinct, or nearly so, and the remnant has removed.

David Hale settled on the Oaks road and was a prominent citizen and of good property, but died about the time the town was incorporated. The name has disappeared. The Hibbard and Plummer fami- lies succeeded to the estate, and they, in turn, have become extinct in that neighborhood.

Nathan Hatch settled in the lower Gunstock Valley and carried on the cooper's business, and had a family, who are still in Gilford, though not occupying the homestead or pursuing the trade.

The Hoyt family was one of prominence and large numbers and rank. Simeon, Daniel and Enoch Hoyt settled in Chattleborough and held large estates and excellent lands. They had large families, who settled in different parts of the town and many emigrated to

other places. Simeon Hoyt built, with Ebenezer Smith, Esq., the Gunstock Mills in 1789, six years after his settling in Gilford. Ebenezer Hoyt went to Hampstead, and Samuel, James and James, Jr., were citizens in 1806.

James Hoyt (3d) is also in the list of 1813 and 1808. One of this name lived near Lieutenant J. Gilman's, and one settled near the Upper Weirs and had two sons, who were well educated and held posi- tions of importance in educational affairs, and a daughter, who was married to Captain Winborn San- born, so long in command of steamers on the lake and lately deceased. Colonel Peaslee Hoyt settled at the base of Mount Major; Nathaniel on Liberty Hill; Simeon, Jr., Enoch, Jr., and Thomas near Chattleborough Pond. These families were in good social standing and were active citizens.

The name of Hunt is also of prominence. Abel Hunt came in 1783 and settled near the Intervale. . He 'raised a large family and carried on the carpen- ter's and cabinet-maker's business. He had the only turning-lathe in the place, and made chairs and other furniture. He was employed to do the inside work and construct the pews in the first church.

Enoch Hunt settled, in 1794, near Captain I. F. Gilman's and was a prominent citizen, and his sons- William, Samuel, Joseph, Ebenezer S., John S. and Enoch-were persons of standing and figured largely in public affairs. Benjamin Hunt also settled in this vicinity ; his successors carried on mechanical enter- prises and have settled elsewhere.

The names of Horn, Hadley, Hill and Hutchinson also are found among the early inhabitants; the two last named lived at the foot of Gunstock Mountain, and the name has ceased to exist there.

Aaron Jackson settled near Jacob Jewett's and was related to Richard Martyn by marriage. His son Stanford built near him and committed suicide in his building. The name has disappeared.

Major Jabez James came into town in 1784 and settled near Cotton's Hill, on the north incline, on some excellent land. He was one of the largest tax- payers in the first years. His estate still remains in the name and the family holds its rank. He was a Revolutionary soldier and had sons, John and Jona- than, who settled near. Jonathan and John James settled near each other in the same neighborhood and their families are still represented in the place, though some have removed to other places. The families were not large, but of good standing and worthy in example.

The Jewett families, already alluded to, are of honorable mention and have been important as con- nected with the business affairs and pursuits of the people. Samuel Jewett is said to have settled in 1777 (though another statement makes him to have been first mentioned in the records in 1789) and lived a half-mile from the Bridge, or Falls, and above them. He sold land for a mill privilege in 1780.

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Benjamin and Jacob settled, successively, to the north of him, and their estates extended in a line two miles to the northeast. Their families have continued distinct and prominent till the present time. In 1806, Benjamin, Jr., is found in the list. He suc- ceeded, about 1816, Jonas Sleeper in trade and other business at Gilford village and did the chief business there for many years. As postmaster, justice, town treasurer and in other positions of trust and responsi- bility he proved a valuable citizen and efficient official. His brothers were John and Moses. Other families of the name were John, Smith, Woodman, Samuel, Jr., and Rev. Daniel, all active men.

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History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire, Part 177

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed Publication date: 1885 Publisher: Philadelphia [Pa.] J. W. Lewis & co. Number of Pages: 1520

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Philadelphia [Pa.] J. W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 1520